Top 5 Unique Cocktail Bars NYC

If I’m going to be giving up alcohol for Dry January… I might as well write about it…

Are you tired of going to the same spots to have a mediocre cocktail? Well then you came to the right place.

Over the last year, I’ve been on a mission to try new cocktail spots throughout NYC.

No seriously, there are so many amazing spots throughout the city that you need to start taking advantage of. While it’s fun to go out and order a vodka soda late night at one of the regular spots, having a nice cocktail with your friends at a new spot leads to some really memorable moments and fun conversations.

All of these places, will be sure to impress your BFF.

MACE

Dubbed one of the World’s 50 Best Bars for the last 3 years in a row, Mace truly is unlike any cocktail bar you’ve ever been to. One of my favorite spots in the city, this place will surely make an impression. This premier cocktail bar has been in business since 2015 and was opened by Cocktail Kingdom’s Greg Boehm and acclaimed French bartender Nico de Soto.

My favorite thing about this spot is how they incorporate unique spices handpicked from around the world for a cocktail that is truly one of a kind. It’s on the pricey side, but in my opinion worth every penny.

Coby Club

This chic underground lounge draws inspiration from the most provocative and exciting period of San Francisco nightlife. This unique speakeasy is quite the vibe.

Sexy. Mysterious. Intoxicating.

As you enter the Coby Club (once you can actually locate it), expect a night that feels exclusive. The intimate seating truly makes you feel like you are VIP. Get ready for a night and a show you will want to tell all your friends about.

Barrio Chino

Lets be real. Who doesn’t love a good margarita? Gathering with your friends over a solid margarita is ALWAYS the move. The worst part about drinking margs with your friends, is always how you feel the next day. But no fear the hang over is not here, when you have drinks in the neighborhood joint, Barrio Chino because they use real ingredients and limit the amount of sugar in their cocktails!!

One of my favorite marg joints in the city, Barrio Chino is a intimate restaurant that serves terrific margaritas in under 30 seconds. They have a vast selection of flavors, and they are delicious. My favorites are the Fresh Grapefruit, the Hibiscus, the Jalapeño Lime and the Habanero Grapefruit. The best part, they are competitively priced and won’t break the bank!

WIN… WIN… WIN…

Ayza Wine and Chocolate bar

Have you ever dined in a Trolley? What about underneath an indoor starlit sky?

Ayza is the perfect spot to have a drink with some of your friends and show them a cool and unique experience they will never forget. Though not a traditional cocktail bar, this spot serves one of the meanest martinis in the city.

Ayza was designed by Artist Sinem Disli and is elegantly decorated with 33 handmade fixtures that represent the shape of 33 constellations and 12 zodiac signs. The color of the bulbs has been “declared to be the average color of the universe in 2009, after the scientists had analyzed the light from 200.000 galaxies, formed by stars individually indistinguishable by the naked eye.” Cool right?

If your not in the mood to dine indoors, you can enjoy their enclosed heated garden or as I first mentioned… the Trolley.

Fig 19

Fig 19 is definitely one of those cool spots you’ll want to add to your list. This hidden gem will impress as you walk through an art gallery before you enter the chandelier-lit hideaway. Known for their craft cocktails you can tell that the bartenders are good at what they do.

Take a moment to look around the spot and find hidden collectables that definitely give this place some character. Great music, good vibes, cool art and solid cocktails.

Written by Emily Jozefowicz